Three Ways To Keep Allergen Exposure Under Control

When most people think of allergies, they think of the usual telltale symptoms of sneezing and watery, itchy eyes, typically caused by things like spring pollen in the air or pet dander. However, in some allergy sufferers, the symptoms can be far more severe, triggering instead of repeated sneezing an asthma attack.

Your physician can prescribe treatments to help reduce your symptoms and the severity of an attack, but there are some steps you can take to reduce your allergen exposure to begin with. Here is a look at the different remedies available if you or someone you know has difficulty breathing as a result of common allergens.

Stay Indoors

When the weather starts warming up after a cold winter, it's natural to want to be outdoors, enjoying the sunshine. Unfortunately for allergen induced asthma sufferers, this is not the time to go outside. Flowers and trees are at the height of their reproduction process, which means excess pollen is in the air everywhere. For those who are sensitive, staying inside with the windows closed may not be fun, but at least you will be able to breathe. If you need to use the air conditioner, be sure to keep the filter clean.

Keep Dust Mites At Bay

Carpeting, bedding, pillows, draperies, and rugs are all likely infested with dust mites. They feed on the dead skin cells shed by humans and their pets, which is euphemistically referred to as dust. As gross as knowing these microscopic cousins of spiders are around, every home has them.

If dust mites are a trigger for you, washing your bedding in hot water weekly can help, as can keeping your bedspring, mattress, and your pillows in a allergen-reducing covers. Wall-to-wall carpeting and area rugs are another common location of dust mites. Consider tearing out the carpeting and installing hard flooring instead. If this isn't possible, be sure to vacuum the entire house frequently with a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filter that has an airtight gasket to help reduce their numbers. Regularly dusting your home with a damp cloth should also be a weekly, if not daily, chore.

Keep The Bathroom And Kitchen Immaculate

If you live in an area of the country that is prone to cockroaches, it's extremely important to keep them out of your home if you are an allergy sufferer. In addition to being disgusting, they can trigger an asthma attack. Bug sprays aren't going to do the trick; you need to have regular visits by a pest control expert. Keeping these areas clean will help reduce cockroaches, but it will also keep mold and mildew at bay as well, another common allergen.

If you're not sure what is going on with your health, you may need to look into allergy induced asthma treatment to ensure you can breathe easy.